Nursing bottle



July 16, 1940.

F. M. DUERME NURSING BOTTLE Filed April 19. 1959 tillrli Patented July 16, 1940 SDJG OTTLE Francisco M. llluerme, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 19, 1939, Serial No. 268,668

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in nursing bottles and appurtenances. v

Heretofore nipples of various sizes, shapes and forms have been used on nursing bottles in an 5 attempt to obtain an even flow of the liquid therefrom during infant feeding periods, but experience has proved that bottle fed babies do not obtain a uniform or constant flow of the liquid from nursing bottles due to the partial 19 vacuum formed in the bottles when the liquid is being withdrawn. The liquid has been found to be released in squirts from the nipples when the infant compresses the nipple, the liquid therefor being forced into the passageways of 15 the throat to cause choking and coughing many times during the feeding periods. Also, because of the vacuum formed in the bottle the liquid is found to be emitted spasmodically causing the baby to open its mouth and suck in air, 20 which results in the swallowing of a mixture of air and liquid. Such conditions naturally tend to lengthen the time required to empty the bottle of its contents. Hence, the feeding periods are also lengthened accordingly, causingthe next 35 regular feeding period to be shifted further forward: and thereby creating irregular feeding periods. In many instances it has been found that hiccoughs, belching and vomiting have followed the bottle feeding period. This is believed to 30 have been caused by the excessive air that is introduced into the stomach, having been swallowed by the baby in its troublesome efforts to suck the liquid through the nipple. Whenever this air happens to pass down into the intestines 35 of the baby, which is very often the case, the

baby naturally suifers from flatulence, and has pains in its abdomen. This is commonly known as colic, and if severe it often leads to grave abdominal disturbances.

These conditions frequently occur, and all of these objectionable disturbances tend to endanger the lives of bottle-fed babies. It is believed that these and other objectionable features have been overcome by the device of the present invention.

-It is the primary object of this invention to cure these inherent defects by producing a nursing bottle wherein the flow of liquid therefrom will be even and constant.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a device of this character wherein yielding means are utilized to equalize the pressure in the bottle withthe atmosphere; to provide a nursing bottle wherein both ends are open; to equip a 55 bottle interiorly with a'collapsible wall part to compensate for vacuum tendencies; and to provide a nursing bottle which is simple in construction, positive in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention 5 is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a cross-sectional view taken axially of my improved device, illustrating the position of the rubber pouch when the bottle is substantially emptied of its contents.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of my improved device taken similarly, illustrating the position of the rubber pouch when the bottle has been filled with liquid.

Fig. 3 is a view of the rubber pouch before insertion in and attachment to the nursing bottle.

Fig. 41s a view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Referring in detail to the drawing. the rigid shell I, preferably constructed of glass or the like, is provided with the usual restricted neck opening 2 which is adapted to receive the usual form of rubber nipple 3. The lower end or bottom of shell I is entirely open and is provided with a pair of annular circumferential heads 4 and 5 on the outside wall.

An elongated rubber pouch 6, having a restricted neck I is adapted to be inserted into the interior of the shell I through the opening I in the lower end of shell I and attached thereto by stretching the pouch mouth 8 and edge head 9, across the openbottom of the shell and placing the head in groove seat I 0 formed between the heads 4 and 5. (See Fig. 2.)

In operation the rubber pouch is inserted in the shell I through the opening I and attached to the shell in the manner stated. The bottle is then filled with liquid in the usual manner through the mouth opening 2 in the shell I. The usual nipple 3 is then placed over the opening 2 where it is secured in the usual manner. whereupon it is ready to be used.

In feeding, the bottle is partially inverted and the contents withdrawn in the usual manner through the nipple 3. It will now be apparent 45 that as the contents of the bottle are withdrawn, the pouch 6 is automatically filled with air which entersthe pouch through the opening I. The air enters the pouch in direct proportion to the amount of liquid withdrawn, thereby equalizing the pressure within the bottlewiththat of the atmosphere and thus permitting a constant and uniform withdrawal of the contents of the bottle.

In actual use, it has been found that the liquid in the bottle of my invention will flow uniformly and constantly at a rate of'from 40 to drops per minute at body temperature until the bottle is emptied of its contents. Physicians recommend that infants consume one or more ounces of milk within three to five minutes during each feeding period. This result is readily obtainable by employing the device of my present invention.

Furthermore, this device is more readily cleaned and sterilized! than those on the market today because the shell has no bottom. when the rubber pouch is removed and this eliminates the usual dimculties of thoroughly cleaningof the bottom of the bottle, as is apparent. Furthermore. the rubber pouch and the nipples may be sterilized at the same time and in the same container. Y

It is to be understood that some of the details set forth may be altered or omitted without de-t parting from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims. p

I claim: a p I 1. A nursing bottle comprising a unitary onepiece shell open at both ends, 'incombination with'a collapsible pouch having a restricted neck portion and arranged to be inserted in. the interior of said shell. and having its open end arranged to be stretched over one end of said a circumferential bead adjacent its mouth, said pouch being adapted to be inserted into the interior of said shell through one of the open ends thereof and have its mouth stretched over said open end and over the flange adjacent said end to close the end thereof and provide a vent opening for said pouch and retain the body of said pouch within said shell, and a nursing nipple 7 adapted to be stretched over the other end of said shell and over said other flange, all constructed and arranged to cause an even discharge =flow of liquid in drops from the shell when the nipple is compressed and the shell inverted.

FRANCISCO M. DUERME. 

